Has anyone removed the outside door handle from any of the 1950s Cadillac

[hearn]

Has anyone removed an outside door handle from any of the 1950s Cadillacs.  Mine is a 1954 and the driver's side has worn to the point that it will barely open the door.  According to the manual, I need to remove the door handle so I can get to the shaft that operates the latch mechanism.  When I get the handle off, I plan to partially disassemble the handle and build up weld the tip of the shaft so I can then grind/file it down to size.
Right now, my issue is removing the retainer that secures the door handle in position on the door. I realize that the retainer has been there for 70 years, but I was hoping it would start to move.  So far, it won't budge so I was hoping to find a tip from someone who has removed one of these door handles or someone that could remove the handle on a fully junked car where a mistake doesn't matter so much.

[dn010]

Before you do all that, try adjusting the rod that goes from the button to the latch first. It might just be that. I can't comment on a 54, but when I took the handles off my 57, they were secured to the door with two large Philips head screws.

Edit: after looking at the shop manual, the guy is using a flat head to remove the retainer, you might just have to use a larger flat head and maybe a rubber mallet to get it moving.

[Cadman-iac]

  Hearn,

 I'm guessing that you have removed the small cover that hides the retainer for the handle.
  I had a hard time getting the retainers to let go on mine as well.
 I need to go have a look at them again to see if it will jar my memory as to how I did it. I do know that I had already removed just about everything on the door before I tried to get the handles off.
 Just off the top of my head, have you using a pair of vise grips to grab the edge of the retainer bracket and then use a slide hammer to jar it loose by pulling it rearward. You will have to figure out how to tie the vise grip to the slide hammer.
 This is just what came to mind quickly; I'm not sure if that's what I had done. I still need to look at my handles again, and I'll get back to you tomorrow.

 Rick

[Lexi]

I got a pair of doors off of a '56, think a CDV. Will check to see if door handles still on them and take some pics if so. Clay/Lexi

[hearn]

dn010 I am not sure what adjustment you are talking about: "Before you do all that, try adjusting the rod that goes from the button to the latch first. It might just be that."

Thanks Cadman-iac and Lexi.  I look forward to what you have to say.

[Cadman-iac]

  Ok, after looking at my handle and the door, I believe what I had done was to saturate the sliding retainer bracket and the inside of the door where it mounts with penetrating oil, because water gets between the bracket and the mounting plate and tends to rust it in place.
There is a lip on exposed end of the bracket that you can use to pry against, but you need to protect the door jamb and paint while you're prying on it. I wasn't too concerned about the paint on mine as it needs painting anyway, but I would recommend using a rag under a block of wood so you have some leverage to be able to pry on that bracket.

The handle with bracket in place.

The bracket by itself. Note the lip to pull or pry it out with.



This is the forward end of the bracket. The metal is a bit substantial, more than just sheet metal, so it will take a little bit of prying and hammering if you get inside the door for access.



looking at the end ot jamb of the door.

This is the inside of the door showing the mounting plate. As you can see, there's a lot of flat space for dirt and water to accumulate and cause it to rust in place. I couldn't get my phone in to get a better picture of the mounting plate. But you can see the tabs that the bracket slide through in this picture. There's a couple more on the top as well.

This is how the bracket and the handle fit together. The raised areas on the bracket are what put pressure on the handle to keep it tight in the door.


  I used a sort of wrinkle paint on my brackets, and it makes it difficult to see the pitting in the metal unfortunately. But this is most likely what you are fighting to get it out.
If you are not going to take the door apart to gain access, then it's going to be that much more difficult to get it out.
You may want to consider removing the inner door panel at least so that you can get a spray can of your preferred penetrant on and in between the parts to aid in disassembly.
I hope this helps out in some way.

Rick

[hearn]

Very helpful Cadman-iac.  Thanks.

[kadillackid]

Great detail! Thank you!

[Lexi]

That was one awesome post Cadman-iac. Still have not got to my parts storage but not sure if I have to now. Clay/Lexi

[Cadman-iac]

  Thanks Clay,
 It would be interesting to see what you find in yours though, if you get a chance to look anyway.

  Rick

[Lexi]

Yes, I hope to get up there soon. Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

Thanks Clay,
 It would be interesting to see what you find in yours though, if you get a chance to look anyway.

  Rick

Got to mine today and took some pics. Will post. Not going to top the Cadman-iac's reply though. What a tough area to get photos of. You almost need a high quality bore scope with a manouverable flex head-then take some screen shots. Will try and post later today. Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

Great detail! Thank you!

I got to my storage area today. Very tough subject to photograph as Rick noted. Will post some pics later today. To be viewed keeping Rick's post in mind. Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

Well, here are 5 shots of a 1956 Cadillac CDV door handle, still attached to the car. Please view after re-reading Cadman-iac's excellent post. My images show everything insitu. Other door looks also to have the handle, but I did not dig out, (tetanus shot not up to date). This is a tough photo assignment, (please see my last 2 posts). Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

In addition to my above post, here is an image of 1949 - 1954 Cadillac Door Handle and related hardware from the 1958 Cadillac Master Parts List. So this at least covers your model year. Clay/Lexi

[Cadman-iac]

  Good pictures Clay. Yours show how the handle and retainer bracket work in the door. I didn't think to try putting mine in and taking pictures.

 You also show the problems that rust causes if you're trying to remove said handle and retainer bracket.

 Are your latches in decent shape?

  Rick

[Lexi]

Good pictures Clay. Yours show how the handle and retainer bracket work in the door. I didn't think to try putting mine in and taking pictures.

 You also show the problems that rust causes if you're trying to remove said handle and retainer bracket.

 Are your latches in decent shape?

  Rick

Hey Rick. Thanks for the comments. Yes, the rust can wreak havoc on the hardware removal process. As for whether or not my latches are in decent shape... I imagine you are referring to the catch mechanism on the car's body, right? As my understanding is that a latch generally refers to a component that holds a door in a closed position, to stop a door from swinging open unintentionally. That is my woodworker/furniture guy's definition of what a latch is. Could be a piece attached to the door frame to catch the "tongue" of the door's unit when it closes, or a "ball catch" up top mounted in the lintel. Same purpose though. If "latch" for an automobile means the same thing, then I can't say, as my pair of doors are off of the car, so the catch mechanism is absent. Perhaps I got something in parts, but not sure. So I can't answer your question.

Smart looking paint job on your components. They look fantastic. You are right, the hammertone draws one's attention away from any pitting. They look great. Did you media blast them first? Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

So checking definitions online, a catch can be either a bolt that can be fitted to the door to secure it when closed, or the description I provided above, so both apparently. I don't remember what else was on the door that would fit that description. Would have to look next time at the parts repository.   Clay/Lexi

[Cadman-iac]

  Hi Clay,
Yes, I had to bead blast the retainer bracket, otherwise I don't think the paint would have stuck to it.

As for my description of latch, I've always referred to the mechanism in the door as a "latch", and the piece on the body as a "striker", regardless of how it's designed, be it what is on ours, or the bolt and bushing design of the 60's, 70's and 80's.
It never occurred to me that my description might be different from what other parts of the country would call it. Good point.

  Rick

[Lexi]

Its one of those terms that I never really thought much about until I looked it up today. Definitions can be confusing, especially when cross referencing other disciplines, i.e. automotive vs woodworking, etc. Yes, to me a striker would mean always on the body. Well, now that we are on the same page, I don't remember if those parts were on my door. If memory serves, I would say no, they are not there but had been stripped off by a previous owner. I may have to go back up there today and if so will take a look. They might be in a parts box somewhere. If still on the door I will take some photos. Clay/Lexi